THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FPL CHIPS: WILDCARD, FREE HIT, BENCH BOOST & TRIPLE CAPTAIN
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) chips are powerful tools that can make or break your season. In this guide, we'll explain each chip – the Wildcard, Free Hit, Bench Boost, and Triple Captain – including how they work, when to use them for maximum impact, and the pros and cons of each strategy.
By mastering your chip usage, you can gain a crucial edge over your mini-league rivals.
WARNING
Only one chip can be used in a single Gameweek, so timing is everything!
WILDCARD CHIP
What it is: The Wildcard allows unlimited permanent transfers in a single Gameweek without costing points. Essentially, you can overhaul your entire squad. Managers typically get two Wildcards per season – one in the first half and one in the second.
WHEN TO USE YOUR WILDCARD
Squad Overhaul: Use a Wildcard when your squad needs a major overhaul – for example, if you have many injuries, suspensions, or underperforming players. Rather than taking multiple points hits, a Wildcard lets you fix your team in one go.
Fixture Swings: Play it to capitalize on fixture shifts. If a set of teams has a particularly good run of fixtures coming up, a Wildcard lets you load up on those players. Using FPLWatch's fixture tracker can help identify these swings early.
Before Double Gameweeks: A common strategy is to Wildcard a week or two before a big Double Gameweek. This allows you to bring in many players who will play twice, setting up a potent Bench Boost or Triple Captain in the following weeks.
WILDCARD PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Complete squad reset | Limited to twice per season |
| Boost team value via price rises | Can't use another chip same week |
| Adapt to fixtures strategically | Pressure to get it right long-term |
PRO TIP
FPLWatch's price change predictions help track players rising or falling in price, so you can maximise your team value during a Wildcard.
FREE HIT CHIP
What it is: The Free Hit grants unlimited free transfers for one Gameweek only. After that Gameweek, your squad reverts to its previous state. It's essentially a one-week Wildcard where changes are temporary.
WHEN TO USE YOUR FREE HIT
Navigating Blank Gameweeks: In a Blank Gameweek (BGW) where many teams don't play, a Free Hit lets you field a full XI by bringing in players who do have a fixture. This is especially useful if your regular squad is filled with players who are blanking.
Attacking a One-off Double: If there's a Double Gameweek (DGW) with a few teams playing twice and your current squad doesn't include many of those players, a Free Hit can load your team with double-fixture players just for that round.
Injury/Rotation Crisis: Use it in a week where your team is hit by multiple absences or when you want to punt on differential picks for a single round without long-term commitment.
FREE HIT PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Maximum one-week flexibility | All changes revert next week |
| Perfect for blank gameweeks | Usually only one per season |
| Enables high-risk punts safely | Can be wasted if not needed |
NOTE
The Free Hit cannot be played in the first Gameweek of the season. Plan to use it in a week where it significantly boosts your score – typically around big blank weeks (e.g., FA Cup weekend).
BENCH BOOST CHIP
What it is: Bench Boost allows your bench players' points to count toward your score for that Gameweek. Normally, only your starting XI scores points, but with Bench Boost active you get points from all 15 players.
WHEN TO USE YOUR BENCH BOOST
Double Gameweek Bonanza: The most popular time to Bench Boost is during a Double Gameweek. If you can arrange a squad where most or all of your 15 players have two fixtures, the potential payoff is huge. Often managers Wildcard in the lead-up and Bench Boost in the DGW.
After a Wildcard: Using Bench Boost immediately after a Wildcard can work well, since you can design a squad specifically with 15 playing players who all have good fixtures.
When Bench is Strong: If you find yourself with a great bench of in-form budget players with favorable fixtures, you might Bench Boost even in a single Gameweek.
BENCH BOOST PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Unlocks 15 players' worth of points | Requires strong bench (costs money) |
| Pairs perfectly with Wildcard | Single use per season |
| Massive DGW potential | Can't combine with other chips |
PRO TIP
Check FPLWatch's Fixture Tracker for the schedule of potential Double Gameweeks. It will help you identify the ideal week to Bench Boost when many teams play twice.
TRIPLE CAPTAIN CHIP
What it is: Triple Captain triples your chosen captain's points (instead of the usual double) for that Gameweek. If your captain is usually a key source of points, this chip can supercharge their output.
WHEN TO USE TRIPLE CAPTAIN
Star Player in a Double Gameweek: This is the classic strategy. Captain a star player (think Salah, Haaland, Kane) when they have two fixtures in one week. Two matches mean more minutes and more opportunities to score big.
Plum Single Gameweek Fixture: If no good double materializes, pick a week where your premium player faces a very weak opponent at home. A prolific striker hosting a newly promoted or out-of-form team might be a chance for a huge haul.
When Confident in Form: If a player is in red-hot form playing a decent fixture, some managers will take the plunge. The key is confidence that your chosen captain will deliver.
TRIPLE CAPTAIN PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Potential for massive 30+ point haul | Usually only one per season |
| Simple to use, no squad restructure | Lower ceiling in single GW |
| Emotional high when it works! | Popular timing = less rank gain |
WARNING
Famous triple-captain fails are FPL legend – star strikers scoring 2 points happen! The risk is real, so choose your moment carefully.
TIMING YOUR CHIPS: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Timing is crucial with chips. Here are strategic considerations to maximise their impact:
PLAN FOR BLANKS AND DOUBLES
As a rule of thumb, save chips for Blank and Double Gameweeks when possible. A common late-season strategy:
- Free Hit in a big Blank GW
- Wildcard to set up for Double GWs
- Bench Boost in the biggest Double GW
- Triple Captain on a premium with two good fixtures
DON'T HOARD TOO LONG
While patience is good, don't hold your chips so long that you miss opportunities. Each chip is worth points only if used. A Wildcard played very late when your team is already good might yield less benefit than using it mid-season during a perfect storm of fixtures and form.
ADAPT TO YOUR TEAM
If your team is in crisis (multiple injuries or out-of-form players), using a Wildcard earlier than planned can rescue your season. If you're well set for an upcoming Double Gameweek without using a chip, save it for a different week where you stand to gain more.
WATCH THE CALENDAR
Use tools like FPLWatch's fixture tracker to look several Gameweeks ahead. If you see a Blank Gameweek 8 followed by a Double Gameweek 9, you could plan to Free Hit in 8 and Bench Boost in 9.
STAY FLEXIBLE
Sometimes fixture dates change or cup upsets create unexpected Blanks/Doubles. Be ready to adjust your chip strategy. Keep an open mind rather than a rigid plan.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Using FPL chips wisely can swing your season. It's about maximising gains when the odds are in your favor and minimising losses during tricky weeks.
| CHIP | BEST TIMING | KEY CONSIDERATION |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcard | Before DGWs, fixture swings | Plan for long-term, not one week |
| Free Hit | Blank Gameweeks | Your squad reverts afterward |
| Bench Boost | Double Gameweeks | Need 15 playing players |
| Triple Captain | DGW with premium player | Form + fixtures must align |
ACTIONABLE STEPS
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Know Your Chips: Understand what each chip does and its limitations. Remember you can't play two chips at once.
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Plan Around the Schedule: Save chips for pivotal Gameweeks – especially big doubles and blanks. Keep an eye on FPLWatch's Fixture Tracker.
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Combine for Effect: Use a Wildcard to set up an ideal Bench Boost. Combining chips across consecutive weeks (not the same week) is a proven tactic.
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Be Flexible and Patient: Don't rush into using a chip after one bad week. Likewise, don't hold so long you miss a great opportunity.
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Utilise Tools: Leverage FPLWatch's price change alerts, effective ownership data, and fixture analysis to simulate different scenarios.
By timing your Wildcard, Free Hit, Bench Boost, and Triple Captain effectively, you'll give yourself a strong advantage in Fantasy Premier League. Good luck, and may your chips fall at the right time for a season-defining points haul!
FPLWatch.com – providing live analytics, fixture tracking, and price change alerts to help you manage your FPL team like a pro.